I'm finding that in only a week or two of driving, I'm getting a thick black coating on my front wheels of brake dust.

Over the winter, it was obviously extremely difficult to stay on top of it being 10 degrees outside, no outside hose water, etc.

I tried to keep it clean with brake cleaner sprays, etc...but this spring I've found some pretty nasty wheel damage.

There is a ton of black spotting all over the wheels. To make matters worse, it looks like rows of spots inside that look like tar or rubber. I'll take pictures later and post them.

In short, what do you guys do to deal with brake dust? I've tried waxing the wheel, but I saw no real effect. I spray it off when I don't have time to wash the car thoroughly, but that only gets off a little bit. Wheel cleaner spray does a decent job, but often leaves areas unclean behind it and requires a hose to wash off.

Basically the only thing I've found to help deal with it is a wheel detailing with a small sponge, hot soapy water, and a hose. It's time consuming and apparently has to be done weekly to keep the wheels shiny.

Anyone got any tricks or other experiences?

i think some people wipe their wheels down daily. i haven't noticed too bad of a brake dust problem with mine, so they just get washed along with the car.

also, if you are using any of that silicone spray stuff to give the tires a wet look, if you get any overspray on the wheels, that stuff seems to attract brake dust and if you don't get it cleaned up in time can sort bake the brake dust to the wheels and make it next to impossible to get off.

only other thing i can think of is next time you get your brakes changed, have them put ceramic pads on...at least on the front.

What you are seeing is normal.
sucks.. but normal..
Do you have the new pads ?
I hear they make a huge improvement in dust.
If you do not, you might want to consider them.

-B

i think some people wipe their wheels down daily.

I'm one of those :D I use a small version of the California Car Duster on mine every night. Then usually wax them once every few weeks. The longer you let it build up on the rims the harder it is to remove and the more damage it will do.

I changed my rims
and that helped a little

you just have to clean them often

I've heard that waxing the rims can help keep the brake dust from sticking so easily. Haven't tried it myself but seems worth trying out.

The new pads really made a big difference. I can go three days before noticing any , when before it was 3 minutes. I use an aluminum wheel polish, it seems to make the surface pretty slick. It just takes time.

I haven't found a way to keep the dust off for long periods of time, but as far as getting it off after it builds up, I use Simple Green Automotive. Just wet the wheels and spray it on. After about 2 1/2 weeks of buildup, it just wipes right off. That stuff is great. And it removes exhaust soot as well.

I have an '05 and they must have used different pads because I have seen almost no brake dust after 2000 miles.

I'm still waiting for brake squeal to get new pads. Anyone know what the better pads cost?

I found since I had my pas replaced that it isn't as bad.....other than that I just wash my car alot.

Home Depot sells a citrus cleaner by zep that if you spray it on the wheels and tires and then spray them down it cleans them perfect. Very little wipping needed. Also the new brake pads make a hugh difference as well as NOT useing silicon based tire dressing. And it to will make your tail pipes shine. Very inexpensive and looks great.

The only way I've found to eliminate the dusting problem is to quit using the brakes so much. That longer pedal on the right is much more fun to use! ;)

I'm still waiting for brake squeal to get new pads. Anyone know what the better pads cost?

what year is your car? I have a 04 and they replaced the brakes free....they did squeel like hell.

Waxing the rims definitely helps.

Would the NXT wax be ok???

i personally have a half water/ half dish soap solution at ready in my carport with a big pillowcase(rag)... i find myself wiping the front rims once or twice a week... seems to work good though...

Ditto to what's been said already. I had horrible problems keeping up with the brake dust, but since the dealership replaced my squeakers, I haven't had any problems with brake dust that cant be handled by leaving a coat of wax on the hubs and wiping them off the next time.

what year is your car? I have a 04 and they replaced the brakes free....they did squeel like hell.
Mine's an 04. Absolutely zero brake squeal, though. That's why I'm wondering about buying new pads. I suppose I could claim I heard squealing, but I'm a rotten liar. :o

My brakes were squeeking and so I brought it to the dealership for the TSB fix on brake squeeks. It hasn't squeeked and the rate of brake dust on the front is the same as on the rear ones now. Before, my 8 would look like I spent on two titanium rims up front while keeping the rear ones stock.

Mine's an 04. Absolutely zero brake squeal, though. That's why I'm wondering about buying new pads. I suppose I could claim I heard squealing, but I'm a rotten liar. :o

its o.k. to lie when your rims look like shit on a 25-30k car because of cheap pads. Tell them they sqeal you'll be happy you did.

if you use tire gloss, spray that onto the tire first. then wipe all of the overspray off of the wheels. from there you can either wax the wheels or i found this stuff made by michelin (comes in a blue can) called break dust repellant. you spray it onto your rims and let it sit for about 15 seconds, then wipe the wheels. ive used it a few times and i noticed it does help quite a bit, but this car produces more brake dust than any car ive ever owned.

The squeal some people here in there breaks is due to the high metal content of the factory pads. They are not cheap pads but rather engineered for aggressive drivers. If you break hard a couple of times then the squealing will stop, all be it making more brake dust to cover your rims. I like to think of it as a wienie alarm. If you don't drive hard enough the car lets you and everyone near you know. :)

lol, weinie alarm. i guess i can take a little pride in knowing that i have yet to hear any such 'weinie alarm'

its o.k. to lie when your rims look like shit on a 25-30k car because of cheap pads. Tell them they sqeal you'll be happy you did.
Brake dust does not equal 'cheap pads', in fact the RX-8 pads are excellent, aka the RX-8 brakes are excellent (I'm sure you've noticed). Brakes have work to do (mega-heat generation), and it can be messy, but that's a good thing! :) You can either wear the pads off or the rotor surfaces down....pads are cheaper and easier to replace regularly, therefore the dust.

I use a power washer, nothing else, no soap, no sprays, it takes everything, dust, spots, goo, whatever is there outside or inside the rim away. They always look like new until next time! Highly recommended.

I've also herd of people using PAM cooking spray on their rims to coat them over.

i've had lesss dust since i got my pads replaced...and i took from Polak just using good ol' fashion wax

I've also herd of people using PAM cooking spray on their rims to coat them over.

:confused:

I've also herd of people using PAM cooking spray on their rims to coat them over.
It does keep the eggs from sticking to them, sho' nuff.

yeah, i like to spray them down with PAM and tie some bacon to the spokes. that way when i get to work i can eat my breakfst before i start the day.

btw, thats the worst idea ive ever heard of. i cant imagine the amount of dirt and grime that gets caked up from that stuff.

yeah, i like to spray them down with PAM and tie some bacon to the spokes. that way when i get to work i can eat my breakfst before i start the day.


I hope you have the splash guards, ya know how bacon grease splatters. :D
I prefer the muffins in the console breakfast myself. Trying to keep my cholesterol low. :D

oh geeze!

Just wax the wheel...